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Local Church News

The Florida Conference is home to hundreds of local churches, ministries, clergy and lay members dedicated to making a difference in the world. Check out the stories below to see how they are sharing ideas and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Have a story to share? Email webadmin@flumc.org or click here to use our convenient “Submit a story” form.

 

 

May 18, 2018

Church partnership: an olive branch for the whole community

Despite a tense history of racism within the Wildwood community, two churches partner in worship setting an example for healing and positive change.

May 15, 2018

Irma survivor has reason to smile

The April celebration brought an amazing collection of people together who had combined their efforts to help the couple.

May 11, 2018

First Sebring opens 24-7 prayer room

Senior Pastor David Juliano and his wife, Alison, spearheaded the drive to create this unique non-stop prayer meeting, which ultimately will serve the community at large, not just the church.

May 04, 2018

Brews & Hebrews offers taste of spiritual Scripture

With a new influx of millennials joining its congregation, San Marco Church in Jacksonville started holding its Sunday night bible study, Brews and Hebrews, at a local microbrewery. Many stay long ...

April 27, 2018

New Covenant partners with Kids Central

In April 2018, a blue pinwheel garden was planted off U.S. Highway 301 in Wildwood, the results of a church partnership with Kids Central raising awareness for National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April 26, 2018

Despite Irma, the cross shines brightly from San Marco's steeple

While still in the throes of major renovations to their hurricane-damaged church property, this Jacksonville church continued finding ways to serve the surrounding community.

April 20, 2018

An ambitious day of community outreach

Around thirty Edgewater UMC volunteers arrived eager to help out for "Edgewater-North Port Serve Day." There was ample work to be done. Together they tackled three projects proclaiming the gospel ...

April 13, 2018

Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' brought to life

On Maundy Thursday every even year, North Naples Church brings Da Vinci's most famous painting to life. "The Last Supper Alive" is a dramatic worship service that provides a unique way to experience ...

April 06, 2018

Photo journey of young adult mission to Haiti

Stricken by natural disasters, political unrest and poverty, the island nation of Haiti needs compassionate outreach. Taking up the call, Beach Church Jacksonville invited young adults to join them on...

March 29, 2018

United Methodists wash feet, feed souls

On Palm Sunday, Pompano Beach Chapel held an annual foot-washing for the homeless community.

March 23, 2018

Palm Coast reaches out to Mongolia

Described as a multicultural congregation, Palm Coast UMC recently enjoyed a visit from Dr. Soon Hoon Chung, president of Huree University in Mongolia. The result was a "love offering" that collected ...

March 16, 2018

La Gonave Island pastor visits N. Naples, Carlson Memorial

Pastor Jean-Jacques Agones of La Gonave Island, Haiti, recently visited North Naples UMC and Carlson Memorial in LaBelle to describe how mission groups in his country have changed lives that were once...

March 14, 2018

Rev. Sean Peters – Embracing God’s Surprises

Rev. Sean Peters shares about his surprising journey from the world of theater to the world of church planting, what it means to embrace the people that God sends to you, and his story of healing from...

March 09, 2018

Job turnover is zero among homeless employees at Tampa's Portico Cafe

Hyde Park UMC's Portico Café does more than serve coffee and baked goods. Hiring several individuals who were either homeless or were re-entering the workforce after serving prison sentences, there ...

March 02, 2018

Palma Ceia's iMatter program offers unconditional love

Palma Ceia UMC's iMatter program, which includes a unique sensory room with soft music, lights and calming images, was initially formed to meet the needs of those with special needs. Today, it's ...

February 23, 2018

New Farmers Market Hosted by Montverde United Methodist Church

A new outdoor Farmer’s Market has enthusiasts checking out the fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, homemade foods and handmade crafts and other goodies every Wednesday in the Town of Montverde’s Kirk...

February 22, 2018

Response to Parkland: Trinity UMC marches on the Florida State Capitol

Inspired by Bishop Ken Carter's recent call-to-action, members of Trinity UMC, Tallahassee, marched on the Florida State Capitol to support the voices of student protesters.

February 16, 2018

American glass artistry on display since 1926

Including visits from a Hollywood director and inspiration from a famous author, FUMC St. Petersburg attracts hundreds of tourists each year. But this is not a story about films and books. Ten stained...

February 09, 2018

Church contributes to elementary school through reading buddy program

Just in time for Florida's Celebrate Literacy Week, News 6 (Orlando) featured an outreach effort that's getting results in our schools.

February 02, 2018

Gift shares offer 'priceless' shopping experiences

For Shari Fling of Peace UMC in Orlando having too much "stuff" can be a good thing. Through events called gift shares, Fling helps provide "priceless" shopping experiences to church and community ...

January 26, 2018

50,000 breakfasts and still serving

For Joining Hands Mission UMC in Holiday, serving breakfast for those in need is a way of life. The church parking lot is filled with griddles, gas stoves and waffle irons every Sunday morning.

January 19, 2018

MLK week revival helps bring unity to Wildwood

A recent two-day revival in Wildwood was held to help break down racial divisions. For Rev. Michael Beck, senior pastor at Wildwood UMC, the "Unity Movement" event was part of an ongoing mission that ...

January 12, 2018

She plays the world's largest flute

For Paige Long, co-director of music ministries at Palm Coast UMC, playing the flute is no ordinary task. Included in her repertoire is an instrument called the double contrabass. It weighs 30 pounds,...

January 05, 2018

St. James food pantry offers help in tough times

At St. James UMC in St. Petersburg, a monthly food pantry is held in its fellowship hall. Serving an area covering eight zip codes, the pantry offers a way through tough times for those with limited ...

December 29, 2017

Harry 'Skip' Wilson honored on NHL ice as Community Hero

For Harry "Skip Wilson, the retired vice president of Tampa Electric Company and member of New Hope UMC in Brandon, being awarded Community Hero by the Tampa Bay Lightning was a complete surprise. On ...

December 22, 2017

Inspired by Jane Austen, LifeGroup paints Christmas

Thirteen members of the Advent LifeGroup at Killearn UMC in Tallahassee found inspiration with a 16 by 20-inch canvas, some paints and the book "A Jane Austen Devotional" by Thomas Nelson. Together, ...

December 15, 2017

UMCOR meets challenges of 2017 relief

Challenged by hurricanes, floods, wildfires and earthquakes, UMCOR faced a difficult year in 2017. Organizational changes are offering greater efficiency in delivering supplies.

December 08, 2017

Dinner, size-13 cleats, make a difference in Seminole Heights

Seminole Heights UMC has always been a hub for community gatherings. With recent events that involved a serial killer in the eclectic Tampa neighborhood, the church has found new ways to make a ...

December 01, 2017

Sager Brown dedication remembers longtime friend

Central Florida's Sager Brown Mission Team recently dedicated a newly constructed gazebo to the memory of Ed Cepull, who founded the team and served at FUMC in Orlando for more than 40 years.

November 24, 2017

Cardboard City brings awareness to homeless families

Sleeping on cardboard boxes and in cars and tents, members of CrossRoad UMC in Jacksonville recently hosted an event called Cardboard City. The chilly and sleepless night helped raise awareness for ...

November 17, 2017

'A taste of home' served hot at Filipino potluck

They've been cooking up a taste of home for 17 years! Every Sunday at First Church Melbourne an authentic Filipino potluck meal is enjoyed by friends and family. The savory delights of their home ...

November 10, 2017

Evacuating Hurricane Irma with 18 horses

When Rev. Roy Terry of Cornerstone UMC heard a Category 5 hurricane could be headed toward Naples, he and his family really had no choice. They evacuated all 18 of their horses to Georgia.

November 03, 2017

A pastor reflects on All Saints Day

For Jan Richardson, an artist, writer and ordained minister in The United Methodist Church, images and words often come together to form reflections about life. Through a poem titled, "Enduring ...

October 27, 2017

'Bible, Bikes and Breakfast' riders enjoy God's countryside

He's been described as a "casual dressing, Harley riding, high sacramentalist." For Rev. Greg Freeze of FUMC in Spring Hill, combining a passion for motorcycles with his church seemed like a great ...

October 20, 2017

'Childs Park, We Got You'

When the power went out during Hurricane Irma, the Childs Park neighborhood in south St. Petersburg came together and found a way to feed 600 residents. Many were without power for nine days.

October 13, 2017

Prison ministry offers fresh start, faith

Crossing a bridge from the island to the mainland makes all the difference for members of St. George Island UMC. Working outside their comfort zone, volunteers are helping county jail prisoners change...

October 06, 2017

UMC connection is powerful in times of Irma disaster

The power, value and blessings of the connection are seen in this photo essay featuring many of our Florida churches who reached out to those in need.

September 29, 2017

FUMC Wauchula serves 600 meals to first responders

Joining a nonprofit called SendMeMissions, FUMC Wauchula opened their kitchen and food lines for nearly 600 linemen, first responders and volunteers working recovery efforts following Hurricane Irma.

September 22, 2017

Suntree UMC trucking supplies to Keys

For Suntree UMC in Melbourne, devastation in the Florida Keys became personal. The pastors at Big Pine Key and Key West UMC, the Revs. John and Terri Hill, are former pastors at Suntree.

September 20, 2017

Orange County bridge dedicated to Rev. Ken Crossman

Described as an ardent crusader of human rights and civil liberties, recent legislation designated a Winter Park railroad bridge as the "Reverend Kenneth C. Crossman Bridge" in his honor.

September 15, 2017

Sun City disaster team offers response, prayers

The disaster response team at the United Methodist Church of Sun City Center has been responding to hurricanes for many years. Always on the ready, volunteers bring tents, sleeping bags, love and ...

September 08, 2017

Pastor brings rap beat to Scripture

Rev. Matt Kern, associate pastor at Saint Paul's UMC, brings his own brand of rap music to sermons, baptisms and even funerals.

September 01, 2017

Epic turnout for end-of-summer bash

The annual Epic End-of-Summer Bash was held recently at FUMC in Chiefland. The gathering, which was attended by nearly 1,000 parents and children, helped fill 650 backpacks with much needed school ...

August 25, 2017

Planting seeds in historic Seminole Heights

In a close-knit community of small businesses and 1920's bungalows, a neighborhood association offers a landscaping makeover to Seminole Heights UMC.

August 18, 2017

ArtWorks colors worlds with brushstrokes of pain, hope

For artist Renee Schneider, who started ArtWorks in 2003 as a ministry of St. Luke's UMC in Orlando, painting has taken on a new dimension. It has formed windows of hope to nearly 1,000 children ...

August 18, 2017

Bethune-Cookman, high school football teams kickoff at Palm Coast

Palm Coast UMC is hosting its sixth annual Football Sunday services August 20. Those kicking off their seasons with church and faith include Bethune-Cookman University, Palm Coast and Matanzas high ...

August 11, 2017

Piecing together puzzle of historic Gainesville church

In the midst of historical preservation, a Gainesville architect had to begin by piecing together a puzzle to learn how the First United Methodist Church in Gainesville looked more than a century ago.

August 04, 2017

Teamwork, ingenuity helping hearing impaired

Gathering parts purchased at a local audio store, Dave Klaiber and his son Dan invented a system that is helping one church's hearing impaired Sunday School listeners. One in three Americans age 65 ...

July 28, 2017

YAMM receives $100,000 Young Clergy Initiative grant

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry recently announced its 2017 Young Clergy Initiative Grant awards. The Florida Conference's Young Adult Missional Movement (YAMM) received $100,000.

July 21, 2017

Titusville car care ministry 'serves and gets dirty'

Fifteen years ago a retired NASA engineer and his wife started a car care ministry in Titusville. From brake jobs to water pumps and spark plugs, customers are still lining up Saturday mornings for a ...
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The Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church

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Lakeland, FL 33815

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